118 



the midrib of the leaf, which admits of their being laid 

 in a very regular manner on the rafters. They are 

 generally known as "paiha branca" or "white thatch/' 

 from the pale yellow colour of the unopened leaves, and 

 are considered the best covering for houses in places 

 where Bussu cannot be obtained. 



This species grows on the dry forest lands of the 

 Upper Amazon. On the Rio Negro a stemless species 

 called " Curua " [Attalea spectabilis) is found and is 

 often used for thatching. On the Lower Amazon and 

 in the neighbourhood of Para the Attalea excelsa is not 

 uncommon. It is a handsome lofty species which grows 

 on lands flooded at high tides, and is called by the 

 natives Urucuri. The fruit of this tree is burnt, and 

 the smoke is used to black the newly made india-rubber. 

 Martius says that the fruit of the A. speciosa is used 

 for this purpose, but that species is not found in the 

 principal rubber districts, while the A. excelsa is abun- 

 dant there. 



Several species of Attalea are cultivated in the Palm 

 House at Kew. 



Plate III. fig. 1. is a fruit of Attalea spectabilis of 

 the natural size. 



